Marine and Freshwater Biology (MFB)
Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science
The Marine and Freshwater Biology major capitalizes on Guelph’s recognized excellence in aquatic research and provides a broad perspective on aquatic environments based on the physical as well as the biological sciences. In this major, students will build upon core courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology of aquatic biota as they study freshwater and marine environments and work with aquatic organisms experimentally in the field and in the lab. They will have the opportunity to perform independent research projects under a variety of field and laboratory conditions to enhance their learning experience. The major prepares students for post-graduate work in the aquatic sciences, and provides a sound scientific background for students wishing to pursue careers in academia, government service, private sector (e.g., NGOs, fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnology, consulting), conservation, education and research.
Major Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Science.
Students may enter this major in Semester 1 or any semester thereafter. A student wishing to declare the major may wish to consult the Faculty Advisor. A minimum total of 20.00 credits is required to complete the major.
Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS/.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BIOL*1070 | Discovering Biodiversity | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1040 | General Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MATH*1080 | Elements of Calculus I | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1080 | Physics for Life Sciences | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIOL*1080 | Biological Concepts of Health | 0.50 |
| BIOL*1090 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1050 | General Chemistry II | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1070 | Physics for Life Sciences II | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| BIOL*2060 | Ecology | 0.50 |
| BIOL*2400 | Evolution | 0.50 |
| ZOO*2090 | Vertebrate Structure and Function | 0.50 |
| 1.00 electives 1 | 1.00 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BIOC*2580 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| MBG*2040 | Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| STAT*2230 | Biostatistics for Integrative Biology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*2700 | Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution | 0.50 |
| 0.50 electives 1 | 0.50 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| BIOL*3450 | Introduction to Aquatic Environments | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3600 | Comparative Animal Physiology I | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3610 | Lab Studies in Animal Physiology I | 0.25 |
| ZOO*3700 | Integrative Biology of Invertebrates | 0.50 |
| Electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester. | 1.00 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| BIOL*3060 | Populations, Communities and Ecosystems | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3050 | Developmental Biology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3620 | Comparative Animal Physiology II | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3630 | Lab Studies in Animal Physiology II | 0.25 |
| Electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester. | 1.00 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| BIOL*4350 | Limnology of Natural and Polluted Waters | 0.50 |
| IBIO*4600 | Integrative Marine and Freshwater Research | 1.00 |
| 1.00 electives | 1.00 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| BIOL*4010 | Adaptational Physiology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*4330 | Biology of Fishes | 0.50 |
| ZOO*4570 | Marine Ecological Processes | 0.50 |
| 1.00 electives | 1.00 | |
- 1
CIS*1200 Introduction to Computing is recommended for those needing to improve their computer skills
Electives
A minimum of 1.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/
Credit Summary
(20.00 Total Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First year science core | 4.00 | |
| Required science courses semesters 3 - 8 | 10.00 | |
| Approved Science Electives | 2.00 | |
| Liberal Education Electives | 1.00 | |
| Free Electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. Students | 3.00 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Co-op Requirements (Honours)
This is a major within the degree: Bachelor of Science.
The Co-op program in Marine and Freshwater Biology is a five year program, including five work terms. Students must follow the academic work schedule as outlined below (also found on the Co-operative Education website: https://www.recruitguelph.ca/cecs/).
Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Academic Semester 3 COOP*1100 | Academic Semester 4 | COOP*1000 Work Term I |
| 3 | Academic Semester 5 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | COOP*3000 Work Term III |
| 4 | Academic Semester 6 | Academic Semester 7 | COOP*4000 Work Term IV |
| 5 | COOP*5000 Work Term V | Academic Semester 8 | N/A |
Please refer to the Co-operative Education program policy with respect to work term performance grading, work term report grading and program completion requirements.
For additional program information students should consult with their Co-op Co-ordinator and Co-op Faculty Advisor, listed on the Co-operative Education web site.
Credit Summary
(22.50 Total Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First year science core | 4.00 | |
| Required science courses semesters 3 - 8 | 10.00 | |
| Approved Science Electives | 2.00 | |
| Liberal Education Electives | 1.00 | |
| Free Electives - any approved elective for B.Sc. Students | 3.00 | |
| Co-op Work Terms | 2.50 | |
| Total Credits | 22.5 | |
Of the total credits required, students are required to complete 16.00 credits in science of which a minimum of 2.00 credits must be at the 4000 level and an additional 4.00 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Recommended Program Sequence
Students lacking Grade 12 or 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics should follow the revised schedule of study for this major found at https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/revised_SS/.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 - Fall | ||
| BIOL*1070 | Discovering Biodiversity | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1040 | General Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MATH*1080 | Elements of Calculus I | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1080 | Physics for Life Sciences | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Semester 2 - Winter | ||
| BIOL*1080 | Biological Concepts of Health | 0.50 |
| BIOL*1090 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1050 | General Chemistry II | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1070 | Physics for Life Sciences II | 0.50 |
| 0.50 Liberal Education electives | 0.50 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| No academic semester or work term | ||
| Semester 3 - Fall | ||
| BIOL*2060 | Ecology | 0.50 |
| BIOL*2400 | Evolution | 0.50 |
| COOP*1100 | Introduction to Co-operative Education | 0.00 |
| ZOO*2090 | Vertebrate Structure and Function | 0.50 |
| 1.00 electives or restricted electives 2 | 1.00 | |
| Semester 4 - Winter | ||
| BIOC*2580 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 0.50 |
| MBG*2040 | Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics | 0.50 |
| STAT*2230 | Biostatistics for Integrative Biology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*2700 | Invertebrate Morphology & Evolution | 0.50 |
| 0.50 electives or restricted electives 2 | 0.50 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| COOP*1000 | Co-op Work Term I | 0.50 |
| Semester 5 - Fall | ||
| BIOL*3450 | Introduction to Aquatic Environments | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3600 | Comparative Animal Physiology I | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3610 | Lab Studies in Animal Physiology I | 0.25 |
| ZOO*3700 | Integrative Biology of Invertebrates | 0.50 |
| Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester | 1.00 | |
| Winter Semester | ||
| COOP*2000 | Co-op Work Term II | 0.50 |
| Summer Semester | ||
| COOP*3000 | Co-op Work Term III | 0.50 |
| Semester 6 - Fall | ||
| BIOL*4350 | Limnology of Natural and Polluted Waters | 0.50 |
| IBIO*4600 | Integrative Marine and Freshwater Research | 1.00 |
| 1.00 electives or restricted electives | 1.00 | |
| Semester 7 - Winter | ||
| BIOL*3060 | Populations, Communities and Ecosystems | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3050 | Developmental Biology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3620 | Comparative Animal Physiology II | 0.50 |
| ZOO*3630 | Lab Studies in Animal Physiology II | 0.25 |
| Electives or restricted electives to a maximum of 2.75 total credits in this semester. | 1.00 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| COOP*4000 | Co-op Work Term IV | 0.50 |
| Fall Semester | ||
| COOP*5000 | Co-op Work Term V | 0.50 |
| Semester 8 - Winter | ||
| BIOL*4010 | Adaptational Physiology | 0.50 |
| ZOO*4330 | Biology of Fishes | 0.50 |
| ZOO*4570 | Marine Ecological Processes | 0.50 |
| 1.00 electives or restricted electives | 1.00 | |
- 2
CIS*1200 Introduction to Computing is recommended for those needing to improve their computer skills
Electives
A minimum of 1.00 credits of Liberal Education electives is required. The list of Liberal Education electives for B.Sc. students can be found at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/bsc/